The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is the Ultimate Windows 10 Poster Child

We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Why trust us?

4.5

5

Since the debut of the original in 2015, the Microsoft Surface Book has always been an embodiment of Microsoft's vision about the ultimate Windows 10 machine. The all-new Surface Book 2 has been cast in the same mold, offering a combination of distinct design, exceptional craftsmanship, and unrivaled versatility.

Thanks to Intel's latest eighth-generation quad-core processors and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 10 series graphics cards, the second-generation Surface Book is also capable of delivering mind-boggling hardware performance. It's not only the most powerful Surface to date, but it's also a new benchmark for all 2-in-1 notebooks.

For the first time, Microsoft is offering the Surface Book in two sizes — a 13.5-inch variant like the original, and a full-size version with a 15-inch display. The bigger model packs a more powerful NVIDIA GPU, which is typically reserved for gaming laptops.

Distinctive Design and Craftsmanship

The Microsoft Surface Book 2 has the exact same design as the outgoing model, and that's a great thing. With a magnesium alloy body, distinctly angular edges, and a unique display hinge with a slight gap between the screen and the keyboard when folded, the device looks like no other notebook out there. It's superbly crafted, too, though we wouldn't expect anything less from a computer in its price range.

Unmatched versatility is what truly sets the Surface Book 2 from any other notebook in its class. Depending on your needs, the device can quickly transform between a traditional laptop, a gaming and entertainment platform, a digital art studio, or simply a large-screen tablet.

The transition between the modes is seamless — all you have to do is simply detach the display part (there's a dedicated keyboard button for it), reverse it, or use it on its own. We find this setup to be more convenient than simply using a 360-degree hinge, because you never have to worry about damaging the keyboard.

The unique hinge setup makes the Surface Book 2 thicker than other 2-in-1 notebooks. Considering the powerful hardware on board, however, this is a fair trade to make.

The Specs

Both variants of the Surface Book 2 pack Intel's latest eighth-generation Core i7-8650U quad-core processors, which deliver a massive power boost over their predecessors. Depending on the configuration, you'll get 8 or 16 GB of RAM — we highly recommend that you opt for the latter.

The graphics card options are where things get really insane. The 15-inch Surface Book 2 packs a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 GPU with 6 GB of RAM. This is an incredibly capable graphics chip that's typically found in dedicated gaming laptops, which are bulky and not great-looking.

Fitting such a powerful GPU into a thin, all-metal body is an incredible feat of design and engineering. In a conversation during the launch of the Surface Book 2, the head of the Microsoft Devices group, Panos Panay, told us it took almost two years to accomplish it.

The 13.5-inch Surface Book 2 packs a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 GPU with 2 GB of memory. It doesn't quite match the graphics power of the larger model, but it's still capable of delivering an amazing performance.

Oddly, the entry-level Surface Book 2 with a 13.5-inch display comes equipped with a dual-core seventh-generation Intel Core i5 CPU. Try to skip this one if your budget permits, as it runs a generation behind the rest of the lineup.

Microsoft has equipped the Surface Book 2 family with PixelSense touchscreen panels with a 3:2 aspect ratio. The 13.5-inch model has a resolution of 3,000 by 2,000 pixels (same as the original), while the 15-inch Surface Book 2 rocks a resolution of 3,240 by 2,160 pixels.

Both displays are crisp, bright, and capable of delivering top-notch contrast. Their color reproduction is excellent, too — you can switch between an sRGB color mode, or enhanced mode, for a more vibrant color delivery in the Action Center.

The SSD storage options for both models range between 256 GB and 1 TB. An SD card reader is also on board.

When it comes to wired connectivity, the Surface Book 2 offers two USB 3.0 ports and a USB-C 3.1 connector. The last one is a welcome addition to the specs, as it's notably missing from all other Surface devices.

Like the first generation, the latest Surface Book 2 has the ability to sign you in with facial recognition via Windows Hello. It has a 5 MP front-facing camera and an 8 MP sensor on its back. The rear-facing camera is designed primarily with Windows' mixed-reality experiences in mind.

The backlit keyboard of the notebook has well-spaced keys with nice travel and tactility. The touchpad is smooth and responsive, but we wish it were a tad larger, especially in the 15-inch model.

We were unpleasantly surprised to find out that, unlike its predecessor, the Surface Book 2 does not come bundled with a Surface Pen — you'll need to spend an extra 100 bucks to get one. For a notebook this expensive, this isn't a welcome change.

Every Microsoft Surface Book 2 runs Windows 10 Pro with the latest Creators Update out of the box. It brings a number of major improvements to the platform, including support for mixed-reality headsets, 3D productivity tools, and vastly better gaming experiences.

Astoundingly Powerful

We tested the bigger Surface Book 2 with 15-inch display, and it's an absolute monster, capable of achieving mind-bending feats of performance for a device of this type. From editing 4K video in Adobe Premiere Pro, through processing multiple images in Photoshop, all the way to playing Forza 7 and Gears of War 4 in Full HD resolution at 60 frames per second, there was no task that the Surface Book 2 didn't power through effortlessly. In terms of sheer power, the device is truly a new measuring stick for its product category.

During our testing, we got about 10 hours of mixed use from the 15-inch Surface Book 2. It's an impressive achievement for a full-sized notebook this capable, and that included browsing with multiple tabs open, editing photos, Spotify playback, heavy Microsoft Outlook use, and constantly refreshing our Twitter feed.

Microsoft promises up to 17 hours of playback on a single battery charge. On the other hand, if you decide to play Forza 7 on the go, you'll surely get a lot less screen-on time than what we achieved.

The front-facing speakers of the notebook deliver a stellar audio experience, though they aren't the best we've heard in this class.

Final Thoughts

During the presentation of the Microsoft Surface Book 2, Panos Panay referred to it as both a beauty and a beast. This is exactly how the notebook felt to live with in real life — a beautifully made, highly desirable machine, capable of working and playing equally hard.

If you're looking for a no-compromise Windows 10 notebook, you need to have the Surface Book 2 right at the top of your list. It's Microsoft's best device to date, as well as a great platform to experience the constantly expanding Windows 10 universe.

With a $1,499 starting price tag for a 13.5-inch model ($1,999 for one you actually want with 8th generation Intel processor), and a $2,499 entry fee for a 15-inch variant, the Surface Book 2 is strictly reserved for power users who want the best specs. In case you're simply looking for a great Windows 10 machine for casual use, consider a Surface Pro or the excellent Surface Laptop instead.

Stefan VazharovSenior Technology EditorStefan is the senior technology editor for BestProducts.com, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015; He previously covered tech products for GSMArena.com and his work can also be found on Popular Mechanics.